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Gracia
Burnham is wheeled into the memorial service for her
husband, Martin, Friday June 14, 2002. Her youngest son,
Zach, is to her right. Martin and Gracia were held hostage
by the Abu Sayyaf for more than a year in the Philippines.
Martin was killed last week during a Philippine military
rescue attempt. JEFF TUTTLE, The Wichita Eagle
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SANFORD,
Florida (June 26, 2002): Gracia Burnham and her family are
adjusting to the many changes in their lives, and members of New
Tribes Mission's Contingency Team are phasing back into their
regular ministries and routines. While the team members are
weary, they still have another two or three months of work to do
in regard to this most recent kidnapping.
Your prayers are appreciated during these transitions.
Pray for Gracia to have wisdom in:
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Where to call
home: Settling this question will greatly help with emotional
healing.
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Finances:
Gracia is now responsible for the decisions she and Martin used
to share.
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Telling the
story: What is the best way for Gracia to relate the story of
God's faithfulness? Opportunities abound.
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Pray also for
health. Gracia's leg wound is slow to heal; pray that it
will mend completely.
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Pray that she
will take time to rest and recuperate.
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Pray too for
emotional healing for her and her children.
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Pray that
Gracia will continue to have boldness and clarity in testifying
of God's faithfulness.
Please
remember Gracia's parents, Norvin and Betty Jo Jones, and
Martin's parents, Paul and Oreta Burnham. Pray also for the
family of Deborah Yap, Martin and Gracia's slain co-hostage.
The members of NTM's Contingency Team need your prayers for
strength, stamina and wisdom as they work through legal matters
and other necessary details. For some of the men, service on the
team began almost ten years ago with the 1993 kidnapping of Dave
Mankins, Mark Rich and Rick Tenenoff in Panama.
The Contingency Team members and their families need time to
heal emotionally as well.
In addition, pray that the lessons learned over the last ten
years of dealing with hostage situations will be analyzed and
utilized well across the missions community, to the glory of
God.
Finally, pray that God will continue to magnify His name and
draw many people to Himself as the story of His faithfulness is
told in the coming months. He is worthy of our praise!
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